Switchable rfid tag

ABSTRACT

An RFID tag and a method of its use are disclosed. One such RFID tag includes first, second, and third RFID inlays included on a tag housing, the first, second, and third RFID inlays each corresponding to a different rate identifier. The tag also includes a panel engaged with the housing and movable among first, second and third positions. The panel includes RFID shorting structures each positioned to electrically contact one of the first, second, and third RFID inlays such that, in any of the first, second, and third positions, only one of the first, second, and third RFID inlays remains active.

RELATED APPLICATION INFORMATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/110,686, filed on Aug. 23, 2018, which is a divisional of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/416,706, filed on Mar. 9, 2012, which issued asU.S. Pat. No. 10,062,025 on Aug. 28, 2018, each of which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety as if set forth in full.

BACKGROUND

RFID tags are used in a multitude of situations and may need to operatein two or more distinct conditions or states. A basic example of when anRFID tag is configured to alternate between two different states is whenan RFID tag can be activated and deactivated. For example, RFID tags maybe deactivated by disrupting the radio frequency (RF) field of the tag.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/477,064, listing a common inventorand assignee to the present application, describes a number of designsfor creating a two-state RFID tag. In that disclosure, an RFID tag isdeactivated, not by blocking the field or by use of a mechanical switch(two common arrangements), but rather by capacitively shorting sectionsof the RFID tag, such that the tag would not absorb RF energy.

A further example of such an on/off, two state tag is illustrated inFIGS. 2A-2B. As shown the tag 200 includes a housing 202 and a slidablepanel 204. An RFID inlay 206 is printed on a surface of the housing, andan RFID shorting structure 208 is disposed on the slidable panel.

In FIG. 2A, the panel 204 is positioned in a first position, such thatthe RFID shorting structure 208 and the RFID inlay 206 are aligned. Thiscauses a capacitive electrical connection between the RFID shortingstructure and the inlay. As such, sections of the inlay 206, inparticular antenna sections, are shorted such that that the inlay'santenna would not absorb RF energy. In FIG. 2B, the panel 204 is movedto a second position, such that the RFID shorting structure 208 is movedout of alignment with the RFID inlay. This therefore allows the RFIDinlay 206 to absorb RF energy, and accordingly respond to received RFIDread requests.

Although the '064 application, and the above-described design of FIGS.2A-2B, describe tags that have a number of advantages over othersolutions for creating a switching tag, these tags nevertheless do havedisadvantages. For example, that application does not disclose any typeof arrangement that may provide for more than two states in a tag, orproviding for two states in a tag that are recognizable at a reader dueto received responses. This is because, in the deactivated state, thetag is essentially transparent to an RFID reader.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to switchable RFID tags. In a firstexample aspect, an RFID tag includes first, second, and third RFIDinlays included on a tag housing. Each of the first, second, and thirdRFID inlays corresponds to a different rate identifier. The RFID tagalso includes a panel engaged with the housing and movable among first,second and third positions relative to the first, second, and third RFIDinlays. The panel includes a plurality of RFID shorting structures eachpositioned to electrically contact one of the first, second, and thirdRFID inlays such that, in any of the first, second, and third positions,only one of the first, second, and third RFID inlays remainsdisconnected from any of the plurality of RFID shorting structures.

In a second aspect, an RFID tag is disclosed that includes a first RFIDinlay disposed on a first surface, and a second RFID inlay disposed on asecond surface spaced apart from the first surface, with the first andsecond RFID inlays positioned in alignment with each other. The RFID tagalso includes a panel movable between first and second positionsrelative to the first and second surfaces. The panel includes a firstRFID shorting structure and a second RFID shorting structure offset fromthe first RFID structure. When the panel is in the first position, thefirst RFID shorting structure is offset from the first RFID inlay andthe second RFID shorting structure is aligned with the second RFIDinlay, and in the second position, the second RFID shorting structure isoffset from the second RFID inlay and the first RFID shorting structureis aligned with the first RFID inlay.

In a third aspect, an RFID tag includes a first RFID inlay, a secondRFID inlay spaced apart from first RFID inlay, and a third RFID inlayand spaced apart from the first and second RFID inlays. The RFID tagalso includes a panel movable among first, second, and third positionsrelative to the first, second, and third RFID inlays. The panel includesa first RFID shorting structure positioned such that, when the panel isin the first position, the first RFID shorting structure is aligned withthe second RFID inlay and when the panel is in the second position, thefirst RFID shorting structure is aligned with the first RFID inlay. Thepanel also includes a second RFID shorting structure offset from thefirst RFID shorting structure such that, when the panel is in the firstposition, the second RFID shorting structure is aligned with the thirdRFID inlay, when the panel is in the second position, the second RFIDshorting structure is aligned with the second RFID inlay, and when thepanel is in the third position, the second RFID shorting structure isaligned with the first RFID inlay. The panel further includes a thirdRFID shorting structure offset from the first and second RFID shortingstructures such that, when the panel is in the third position, the thirdRFID shorting structure is aligned with the third RFID inlay.

In a fourth aspect, a method of using an RFID tag is disclosed. Themethod includes associating the RFID tag with a user account. The RFIDtag includes first, second, and third RFID inlays corresponding tofirst, second, and third rate structures, wherein the RFID tag includesa panel movable among first, second and third positions relative to thefirst, second, and third RFID inlays. The panel includes a plurality ofRFID shorting structures each positioned to electrically contact one ofthe first, second, and third RFID inlays such that, in any of the first,second, and third positions, only one of the first, second, and thirdRFID inlays remains disconnected from any of the plurality of RFIDshorting structures. The method further includes receiving a tag readingindicating that a first RFID inlay of the RFID tag is active, andcharging the user account according to a first rate structure.

The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth inthe accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features,objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thedescription and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example environment in which the switchable RFIDtag of the present disclosure can be used;

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate an example prior art switchable RFID tag;

FIG. 3 depicts a schematic elevation view of a switchable RFID tagaccording to an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4A depicts a schematic view of a switchable RFID tag in a firstposition, according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4B depicts a schematic view of the switchable RFID tag of FIG. 4Ain a second position;

FIG. 4C depicts a schematic view of the switchable RFID tag of FIG. 4Ain a third position;

FIG. 5A depicts a schematic view of a stacked switchable RFID tag in afirst position, according to an example embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 5B depicts a schematic view of the stacked switchable RFID tag ofFIG. 5A in a second position;

FIG. 5C depicts a schematic view of the stacked switchable RFID tag ofFIG. 5A in a third position;

FIG. 6A depicts a schematic view of a first surface of the stackedswitchable tag of FIGS. 5A-5C;

FIG. 6B depicts a schematic view of a second surface of the stackedswitchable tag of FIGS. 5A-5C;

FIG. 7A depicts a schematic view of a first surface of a panel useablewithin the stacked switchable RFID tag of FIGS. 5A-5C, facing the firstsurface of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7B depicts a schematic view of a second surface of a panel useablewithin the stacked switchable RFID tag of FIGS. 5A-5C, facing the secondsurface of FIG. 6B; and

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method for using a switchable RFID tag withinan example traffic control system, according to a possible embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described indetail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numeralsrepresent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views.Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of thedisclosure. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specificationare not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the manypossible embodiments for the present disclosure.

In general, the present disclosure relates to arrangements for aswitchable RFID tag, including a stacked switchable RFID tag, that has aplurality of states in which the RFID tag is capable of response to anRFID reader. The RFID tags according to the present disclosure generallycorrespond to compact designs which allow for use of two or more activeRFID inlays, such that an RFID tag can respond in a number of differentways to a single interrogation signal from an RFID reader.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an example environment in which a switchableRFID tag of the present disclosure can be used. In particular, theenvironment 100 illustrates a traffic application, in which an RFID tagcan be issued to a driver or household of drivers. As shown, a roadway102 can include a plurality of lanes 104, one or more of which may betraffic controlled. For example, the roadway can be a toll road, inwhich all lanes are controlled by an RFID-based tolling system, or canalternatively include one or more lanes with which charges may beassociated. For instance, one or more of the lanes 104 may be a highoccupancy vehicle lane in which single-occupancy vehicles may travelupon payment of a fee.

As shown, the roadway 102 has a plurality of vehicles 106 travellingthereon, and includes one or more RFID readers 108 associated withcontrolled traffic lanes 104. Some or all of the vehicles 104 could haveinstalled thereon an RFID tag, such as those described below inconnection with FIGS. 3-7, for communication with an RFID reader 108based on one or more user-selectable states. In certain embodiments, theRFID reader 108 can be any of a number of RFID reader devices, such asthe IDentity™ 5100 UHF Reader manufactured by Federal SignalTechnologies of Irvine, Calif. Other RFID readers can be used as well.

In the context of the present disclosure, the environment 100 mayinvolve charging a user of a vehicle 106 according to different rateschedules, depending upon the time and circumstances involved. Forexample, a user may be charged a different rate based on the time atwhich the user is on the road, or based on other information that maynot be available to an RFID reader, and which may or may not change forany given user account. This can include, for example, a number ofoccupants of a vehicle (e.g., single occupancy, HOV2, i.e., twopassengers, HOV3, i.e. 3+ passengers), a number of axles of the vehicle(if a user transports a tag among a plurality of different types ofvehicles), a particular desired rate plan (e.g., monthly vs. per use),or other option.

As mentioned above, the RFID tags 200 of FIGS. 2A-2B can be used in somecircumstances within the environment 100, for example by vehicles whichmay at some times be subject to vehicle lane charges, but at other times(e.g., times of the day, or based on vehicle occupancy) may be exemptfrom such charges. However, if exempt from charges, the user of avehicle 106 in the environment 100 using a tag analogous to thatillustrated in FIGS. 2A-2B would set that tag to a state where the tagis not visible to a reader 108; as such, the reader would not be able todetect the presence of the vehicle 106, and the vehicle may beconsidered non-compliant (e.g., a nonpaying vehicle). Additionally, forthe cases where the user may be able to select from among a number ofrate plans or usage models, existing RFID tags provide inadequatefeatures, since one of the two states included in such switchable RFIDtags ensures that the tags do not respond at all to interrogation by anRFID reader. As such, and as discussed in further details in connectionwith various embodiments of RFID tags below, a plurality of differentRFID inlays can be included within a single RFID tag, and, when combinedwith one or more shorting structures placed on another structure movablerelative to the RFID inlays, the RFID tag can be configurable among aplurality of response modes. This construction therefore allows forselection from among a plurality of affirmative responses to RFID readerinterrogation, as desired by the user.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an example structure of an RFID tag 300 isshown in which various designs of a switchable RFID tag can beimplemented, according to various embodiments. The RFID tag 300 as shownincludes an RFID housing 302 and a panel 304 slidable relative to theRFID housing. The RFID housing generally includes a slot within whichthe panel 304 is movable among a plurality of positions, each of whichcorresponds to a differently configured RFID tag response (e.g., byactivating a different RFID inlay of the tag). Example configurationsand positions of the panel 304 relative to the RFID housing 302 areillustrated in further detail in connection with the embodiments ofFIGS. 4-5, below.

In the embodiment shown, the RFID housing 302 has at least first andsecond inner surfaces 306 a-b, facing corresponding opposite surfaces308 a-b of the panel 304, respectively. In other words, a first surface306 a of the RFID housing 302 faces a corresponding first surface 308 aof the panel 304, and a second surface 306 b of the RFID housing 302faces an opposing second surface 308 b of the panel 304.

In various embodiments, the panel is constructed from a plastic,generally weatherproof material, and has a thickness sufficient thatelectrical characteristics associated with the first surfaces 306 a, 308a, are essentially separate from and have little effect on electricalcharacteristics associated with the second surfaces 306 b, 308 b. Invarious embodiments in which RFID circuit components are positioned onboth first and second surfaces 306 a-b, 308 a-b, the panel 304 is atleast approximately 5 millimeters in thickness, resulting in less than10% signal degradation over a stand-alone tag; however, this minimumthickness may vary depending upon a number of factors including thematerial used (i.e., its dielectric constant), the acceptable losslevel, and the frequency and/or magnitude of the signals to be sensed byRFID inlays on the first and second surfaces 306 a-b.

In addition, one or more attachment mechanisms 310 may be included onthe RFID housing 302, to assist a user in affixing the RFID tag 300 to adesired location. In the embodiment shown, the attachment mechanism 310includes a plurality of suction cup structures 312, allowing a user toaffix the RFID tag 300 to a windshield or other window or smooth surfaceof a vehicle, such as for vehicular (rate/tolling) applications. Inalternative embodiments, the one or more attachment mechanisms 310 mayinclude adhesive, or other fasteners, depending upon the desiredlocation to which the RFID tag 300 is to be affixed.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A-4C, schematic views of a switchable RFID tag400 are illustrated in a plurality of different selectable positions,according to an example embodiment. The RFID tag 400 can be constructedusing the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 3, such that the tag 400includes a housing 402 and a panel 404 movable relative to the housing402. In the example RFID tag 400, a first surface of the housing 402,(e.g., equivalent to surface 306 a or 306 b) has a plurality of RFIDinlays 406 a-c (collectively referred to as RFID inlays 406) disposedthereon. Each of the RFID inlays 406 a-c includes an antenna portion 408and a circuit portion 410 (noted in FIG. 4A), and is responsive tosignals at a predetermined frequency, tuned to respond to interrogationof an RFID reader (e.g., reader 108 of FIG. 1). In the embodiment shown,three RFID inlays 406 a-c are disposed on the surface; however, inalternative embodiments, more or fewer RFID inlays could be included aswell. Each of the RFID inlays 406 a-c are generally disposed offset fromone another at a regular spacing, such that each of the RFID inlays 406a-c is capable of independently receiving and responding tointerrogation signals from an RFID reader independently and withoutsubstantial interference by adjacent RFID inlays.

A surface of the panel 404 that opposes the surface on which the RFIDinlays 406 are disposed has a plurality of RFID shorting structures 412.The RFID shorting structures 412 a-c (collectively referred to as RFIDshorting structures 412) are sized and located to capacitively,electrically couple to portions of each of the RFID inlays whenpositioned in alignment with each inlay. Each of the RFID shortingstructures 412 includes a plurality of grounding regions 414 a-c thathave a length that is different from the overall length of the RFIDinlay 406. This allows the grounding regions 414 a-c to not act as atuned antenna that would otherwise alter the RF field and affect theread distance of adjacent RFID inlays 406.

The RFID shorting structures 412 are spaced apart such that first andsecond shorting structures 412 a-b are positioned an analogous distanceapart as the RFID inlays 412 a-c are spaced from each other. Third RFIDshorting structure 412 c is spaced an additional distance away from thesecond RFID shorting structure 412 b, such that in the second and thirdpositions (in FIGS. 4B, 4C, respectively), an RFID inlay, such as RFIDinlays 406 b or 406 c, can be exposed in the gap between the RFIDshorting structures 412 b, 412 c.

Referring to FIGS. 4A-4C specifically, the panel 404 within the RFID tag400 is movable between first, second, and third positions, in theembodiment shown. FIG. 4A illustrates an arrangement in which panel 404is in a first position relative to the housing 402 of the RFID tag 400.In this embodiment, two RFID inlays 406 b-c are aligned with RFIDshorting structures 412 a-b, causing those RFID inlays 406 b-c to actlike short circuits (i.e., being transparent to RFID signals). The firstRFID inlay 406 a is not aligned with any RFID shorting structure 412,such that in the event of an interrogation by an RFID reader, only RFIDinlay 406 a would receive and respond to that signal. As such, in thisarrangement, RFID inlay 406 a is active, while RFID inlays 406 b-c areinactive, or deactivated.

FIG. 4B depicts a schematic view of the switchable RFID tag 400 wherepanel 404 is in a second position relative to the housing 402. In thisposition, the RFID inlays 406 a-b are aligned with RFID shortingstructures 412 a-b, respectively, and RFID inlay 412 c is exposed in thespace between RFID shorting structures 412 b and 412 c, respectively. Assuch, in this arrangement, RFID inlay 406 c is active, while RFID inlays406 a-b are inactive, or deactivated.

FIG. 4C depicts a schematic view of the switchable RFID tag 400 wherepanel 404 is in a third position relative to the housing 402. In thisposition, RFID inlay 406 a is aligned with RFID shorting structure 412b, and RFID inlay 406 c is aligned with RFID shorting structure 412 c.RFID inlay 406 b is exposed in the space between RFID shortingstructures 412 b and 412 c, respectively. As such, in this arrangement,RFID inlay 406 b is active, while RFID inlays 406 a-b are inactive, ordeactivated.

In accordance with the present disclosure, each of the RFID inlays 406a-c can have a different response to an RFID reader interrogationsignal, such that each occurrence of a response from a different activeinlay is distinguishable from each other. For example, a first RFIDinlay 406 a can generate and respond to an RFID interrogation with afirst responsive ID signal, while second RFID inlay 406 b can generateand respond to an RFID interrogation with a second, different responsiveID signal, and third RFID inlay 406 c can generate and respond to anRFID interrogation with a third, different responsive ID signal.Additional inlays may have their own unique response signals. As such,based on a received RFID signal at an RFID reader, it is possible todetermine by interrogating the RFID tag the current position of thepanel, and therefore the claimed or elected configuration set by a userto define how to charge tolls or provide other services to a user of avehicle or other tagged equipment/systems.

Although the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4A-4C provides an improvedarrangement in which multiple RFID responses are made possible, it isrecognized that extending this arrangement to be used with three or moreRFID inlays greatly increases the complexity and size of a particularRFID tag. For example, the RFID tag 400 of FIG. 4 has an overall width(or height, depending upon desired orientation), that is approximately 5times the size of a preexisting RFID tag, and approximately 2.5 timesthe size of the preexisting switchable RFID tag of FIGS. 2A-2B. As such,the tag 400 may be useable in circumstances in which size is anoncritical factor but instead simplicity in construction is preferred.However, as described below in connection with FIGS. 5-7, alternativeembodiments of an RFID tag exist in which this space can besubstantially saved.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-7, various views of an alternative embodimentof a switchable RFID tag 500 are displayed. In particular, FIGS. 5-7disclose an example embodiment of a stacked switchable RFID tag 500. TheRFID tag 500 of FIGS. 5-7 is referred to as “stacked” in that itincludes RFID inlay elements on more than a single layer of the RFIDtag, thereby increasing the density of RFID inlay elements possible. Forexample, as illustrated in FIG. 3, described above, RFID tag 500 can beconstructed using first and second layers 306 a-b and 308 a-b of an RFIDhousing 302 and panel 304 that are slidably oriented with respect to oneanother, in an example arrangement.

As compared to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4C, the RFID tag500 includes a housing 502 and panel 504, which can, as discussed above,correspond to housing 302 and panel 304 of FIG. 3, above. In theembodiment shown in FIGS. 5A-5C, RFID inlays 506 a-c are disclosed asdisposed on a plurality of surfaces of the panel. Specifically, a firstRFID inlay 506 a is disposed on a first surface 508 a, and a second RFIDinlay 506 b is disposed on a second surface 508 b. In the embodimentshown, the first and second RFID inlays 506 a-b are aligned on differentsurfaces, and spaced apart by a thickness of the panel 504. A third RFIDinlay 506 c is disposed on the first surface 508 a, and is offset fromthe first RFID inlay 506 a, analogous to the adjacent inlays 406 a-c ofFIGS. 4A-4C, above. Detailed schematic views of the surfaces 508 a-b ofthe housing, illustrating relating placement of the RFID inlays 506 a-c,are illustrated in FIG. 6A-6B.

The panel 504 includes first and second opposed surfaces 510 a-b, whichface surface 508 a-b of the housing, respectively. In the embodimentshown, a plurality of RFID shorting structures 512 a-d are disposed onthe surfaces, and, analogous to the arrangement in FIGS. 4A-4B, providea structure in which, at each of a plurality of positions of the panel504 relative to the housing 502, a different one of the RFID inlays 506a-c is activated, with the remaining RFID inlays being deactivated, orshorted, using at least some of the RFID shorting structures 512 a-d. Invarious embodiments, each of the shorting structures 512 a-d correspondgenerally to shorting structures 412 a-c, in that each includes aplurality of metallic components sized and positioned to create acapacitive coupling with portions of an RFID inlay when in alignmentwith that inlay, thereby causing that RFID inlay to appear transparentto RFID interrogation signals from an RFID reader.

In the embodiment shown, a first shorting structure 512 a is positionedon a first surface 510 a of the panel 504, and a second RFID shortingstructure 512 b is positioned on a second surface 510 b of the panel504, such that the first and second shorting structures 512 a-b areoffset from one another. As such, when the panel 504 is in a firstposition relative to the housing 502 as illustrated in FIG. 5A, thefirst RFID inlay 506 a on a first surface 508 a of the housing 502 isoffset from the first shorting structure 512 a on the first surface 510a of the panel 504, and the second RFID inlay 506 b on second surface508 b of the housing 502 is aligned with the second shorting structure512 b on the second surface 510 b of the panel 504. In comparison, whenthe panel 504 is in a second position relative to the housing 502 asillustrated in FIG. 5B, the first RFID inlay 506 a on a first surface508 a of the housing 502 is aligned with the first shorting structure512 a on the first surface 510 a of the panel 504, and the second RFIDinlay 506 b on second surface 508 b of the housing 502 is offset fromthe second shorting structure 512 b on the second surface 510 b of thepanel 504.

In the embodiment shown, the RFID tag 500 includes third and fourth RFIDshorting structures 512 c-d that are positioned on first and secondsurfaces 510 a-b of the panel 504, respectively. The third and fourthRFID shorting structures 512 c-d generally act to short both the firstand second RFID inlays 506 a-b when the panel 504 is in a third positionrelative to the housing 502, as illustrated in FIG. 5C. In particular,third RFID shorting structure 512 c is positioned on first surface 510 aoffset from the first shorting structure 512 a, and fourth RFID shortingstructure 512 d is positioned on second surface 510 b offset from thesecond RFID shorting structure 512 b by an additional amount, such thatthe third and fourth RFID shorting structures 512 c-d are aligned witheach other on opposing sides of the panel 504. It is noted that, whenthe panel is in the first position as shown in FIG. 5A, the first RFIDshorting structure 512 a is positioned such that it is aligned with thethird RFID inlay 506 c. Detailed schematic views of the surfaces 510 a-bof the panel 504, illustrating relating placement of the RFID shortingstructures 512 a-d, are illustrated in FIG. 7A-7B.

Referring to FIGS. 4-7 generally, it is recognized that although in theembodiments shown the RFID inlays are depicted as disposed on surfacesof the housing and the RFID shorting structures are depicted as disposedon surfaces of a movable panel, in various alternative embodiments, oneor more RFID inlays could equivalently be disposed on the movable panel,and one or more RFID shorting structures could be disposed on thehousing, or some mixture thereof. As such, where it is indicated hereinthat a structure on which the RFID shorting structures are disposed ismovable relative to the RFID inlays, it is recognized that equivalently,the RFID inlays could be disposed on the structure that is in fact movedby a user, while the portion of the tag on which the RFID shortingstructures are disposed could remain relatively stationary.

Furthermore, it is noted that the embodiments disclosed hereincorrespond to arrangements in which an RFID inlay remains active in eachposition of the panel relative to the housing of the RFID tag. In somealternative embodiments, it is possible that at least one position ofhousing and panel exists in which all RFID tags are shorted, and the tagis entirely transparent, or nonresponsive, to interrogation signals froman RFID reader.

Furthermore, and referring back to FIG. 3, in the embodiments discussedabove in connection with FIGS. 4-7, metallic structures are formed onthe first and second surfaces 306 a-b, 308 a-b of the RFID housing 302and the panel 304 to form RFID tag inlays and corresponding shortingstructures. Such structures can be manufactured on the RFID tag usingany of a variety of manufacturing processes. In an example method ofconstruction, metallic layers can be included on the surfaces andprotected using an electrically non-conducting coating, in some examplesan approximately 3 mil thick Mylar (i.e., BoPET) coating. Otherprotective coatings can be used as well. However, as noted below, thecoatings are generally sufficiently thin that at least a capacitiveelectrical connection can be formed between RFID inlays and shortingstructures in the embodiments discussed herein.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method 600 for using a switchable RFID tagwithin an example traffic control system, according to a possibleembodiment of the present disclosure. The method 600 can be performed byan RFID reader or RFID reader and associated back-office traffic controlprocessing arrangement, such as may typically be installed within anenvironment 100 as illustrated in FIG. 1, in such an arrangement as maybe implemented using a switchable RFID tag according to the variousembodiments disclosed herein.

The method 600 is instantiated at a start operation 602, whichcorresponds to initial operation of an RFID reader within an environmentin which switchable RFID tags are present. An association operation 604corresponds to association of an RFID tag with a particular useraccount. The user account can be, for example, associated with aparticular user or a particular vehicle, depending upon the specificimplementation chosen. The association operation 604 further includesassociation of each of the possible response states of the RFID tag witha different response. The different responses can be, for exampledifferent rate structures at which the user of the RFID tag (as definedas the owner of the user account) is charged. For example, as discussedabove in connection with FIG. 1, a user may elect to configure the tagin a first position to generate a first response if in a singleoccupancy vehicle, or may alternatively configure the tag in a secondposition to generate a second response if in a vehicle occupied by twopeople (e.g., an HOV vehicle), or a third position to generate a thirdresponse if the vehicle is carrying three people (e.g., an HOV3vehicle). Other selections, such as payment plans or self-identificationselections, are possible as well.

The method 600 continues at a tag reading receipt operation 606. The tagreading receipt operation 606 can occur in response to periodicinterrogation of one or more tags that may be passing in the vicinity ofa particular RFID reader, for example as associated with a vehiclepassing an RFID reader associated with a lane in a traffic application.A tag processing operation 608 determines, based on the responsereceived from the RFID tag, a particular rate structure and account thatis associated with the RFID tag. A charging operation 610 then chargesthe identified user account associated with the tag reading, accordingto the option noted by the tag reading. For example, if the tag readingcorresponds to a first response (meaning a first RFID inlay, such asinlay 406 a or 506 a, is active), a first rate structure will be chargedto the user account. If the tag reading corresponds to a second response(meaning a second RFID inlay, such as inlay 406 b or 506 b, is active),a second rate structure will be charged to the user account. Similarly,if the tag reading corresponds to a third response (meaning a third RFIDinlay, such as inlay 406 c or 506 c, is active), a third rate structurewill be charged to the associated user account. Additional ratestructures, corresponding to different RFID tag positions, could be usedas well. An end operation 612 corresponds to completed processing of asingle RFID response that is received at an RFID reader.

In the context of the present disclosure, it is recognized that the RFIDreader will interrogate any tags located in the vicinity of that readermany times per second, and that the general interrogation and chargingprocess reflected in method 600 can occur at various times, and invarious orders. Although the steps 602-612 are illustrated herein asoccurring in a particular order, it is recognized that, in certainembodiments, determination of the existence of violations occurringbased on vehicle identifiers and locations could occur in a differentorder from that illustrated. Furthermore, one or more steps of themethod 600 of FIG. 8 may be entirely optional, and need not be presentwithin various embodiments. Additional operations may also beincorporated into the method 600 shown in FIG. 8, consistent with thepresent disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 1-8 overall, it is recognized that the switchableRFID tags provide a number of advantages over previous tags whenimplemented within an identification environment such as the trafficapplication discussed herein. For example, the RFID tags can be used toidentify two or more states of an object being tracked, such that anRFID reader can respond differently to each state, while recognizingboth states are associated with a particular user or object.Furthermore, the stacked switchable RFID tag disclosed in connectionwith FIGS. 5-7 provides a compact RFID tag arrangement, and a generalsolution for incorporating two or more states into a single RFID tagwhile avoiding some of the exponentially increasing size of the RFID tagthat is attendant with additional RFID inlays and associated shortingstructures, if positioned on the same surface.

Furthermore, embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced in varioustypes of electrical circuits comprising discrete electronic elements,packaged or integrated electronic chips containing logic gates, acircuit utilizing a microprocessor, or on a single chip containingelectronic elements or microprocessors. Embodiments of the disclosuremay also be practiced using other technologies capable of performinglogical operations such as, for example, AND, OR, and NOT, including butnot limited to mechanical, optical, fluidic, and quantum technologies.In addition, aspects of the methods described herein can be practicedwithin a general purpose computer or in any other circuits or systems.

Embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented as a computerprocess (method), a computing system, or as an article of manufacture,such as a computer program product or computer readable media. Thecomputer program product may be a computer storage media readable by acomputer system and encoding a computer program of instructions forexecuting a computer process. Accordingly, embodiments of the presentdisclosure may be embodied in hardware and/or in software (includingfirmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.). In other words,embodiments of the present disclosure may take the form of a computerprogram product on a computer-usable or computer-readable storage mediumhaving computer-usable or computer-readable program code embodied in themedium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system.A computer-usable or computer-readable medium may be any medium that cancontain, store, communicate, propagate, or transport the program for useby or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, ordevice.

Embodiments of the present disclosure, for example, are described abovewith reference to block diagrams and/or operational illustrations ofmethods, systems, and computer program products according to embodimentsof the disclosure. The functions/acts noted in the blocks may occur outof the order as shown in any flowchart. For example, two blocks shown insuccession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or theblocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending uponthe functionality/acts involved.

While certain embodiments of the disclosure have been described, otherembodiments may exist. Furthermore, although embodiments of the presentdisclosure have been described as being associated with data stored inmemory and other storage mediums, data can also be stored on or readfrom other types of computer-readable media. Further, the disclosedmethods' stages may be modified in any manner, including by reorderingstages and/or inserting or deleting stages, without departing from theoverall concept of the present disclosure.

The above specification, examples and data provide a completedescription of the manufacture and use of example embodiments of thepresent disclosure. Many embodiments of the disclosure can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

1. A method of using an RFID tag, the method comprising: associating theRFID tag with a user account, the RFID tag including: first, second, andthird RFID inlays corresponding to different rate structures, a secondsurface movable among first, second and third positions relative to thefirst, second, and third RFID inlays and including one or morestructures positioned relative to the first, second, and third RFIDinlays to cause the first, second, and third inlays to be inactive suchthat, in any of the first, second, and third positions, only one of thefirst, second, and third RFID inlays remains active; and receiving a tagreading indicating that a first RFID inlay of the RFID tag is active;and charging the user account according to a first rate structure.